The Suzuki GS500 is a popular entry level motorcycle manufactured by the Suzuki Motor Corporation. Suzuki produced the GS500 and GS500E from 1989 onwards and a fully faired model, GS500F from 2004 onwards.[16]

The unfaired version of the GS500 was first sold in the UK in 1988 (model code GS500EJ)[17] and the following year's model (code GS500EK) was released for sale in Europe and North America. It was equipped with an air-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine derived from the earlier GS450. In the motorcycle market, the GS500 occupied the low end of Suzuki's mid-sized range for over twenty years.[18]

Suzuki also produced GS500 models, identified by a 'U' suffix, with engines restricted to satisfy the maximum power-to-weight ratio for use in countries where restrictive motorcycle licenses were issued (the GS500 meets current EU and UK licence level A2 conditions without restricting the engine)[19] or for countries with a Learner Approved Motorcycle program (such as Australia and New Zealand)[20][dead link] enhancing its worldwide popularity.[21]

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GS500 engineering lineage descends directly from Suzuki's first modern 4-stroke motorcycles. With the 1976 debut of the GS750 air-cooled inline-four, as well as the GS400 parallel-twin, Suzuki was building 4-cycle engines despite having produced only 2-cycle motors for 20 years. The Suzuki GS series soon expanded into larger and smaller four-cylinder bikes, the GS1000 and GS550 respectively, while the twin-cylinder engine was bored-out to become the GS425 twin. All of these models preserved the earliest GS engine layout: double overhead cams, 2 shim-adjusted valves per cylinder and a roller-bearing crankshaft.

The GS500E motorcycle appeared in 1979, powered by a sleeved-down version of the GS550 engine (with smaller carburetors). The GS500E four was manufactured for markets where its smaller displacement was suited to insurance or license regulations.

Suzuki modified the original GS series engine layout to produce a successor to the GS425, the GS450 twin, which had a new bottom-end design that used a one-piece 180° crankshaft running on plain bearings. A counterbalance shaft controlled engine vibrations. The 448 cubic centimetres (27.3 cu in) displacement of this twin grew to 487 cubic centimetres (29.7 cu in) in 1988 by means of a 3 mm larger bore, when it became the engine for the new GS500E.[22]

Suzuki GS500E showing SLINGSHOT graphics on tail

Although the GS500E twin was developed from an existing design, for the 1988 GS500EJ model Suzuki came up with a brand new frame, running gear and bodywork aimed at urban riders, novice motorcyclists and those on a budget. Additionally, the GS500EJ debuted with carburetors from the Mikuni ‘Slingshot’ series, a design which was simultaneously being used on the Suzuki GSX-R750 racer-replica. Although it did not produce as much horsepower as a multivalve design would, the two-valve GS500 engine had proportionally more torque an low speeds.[23]

As introduced in 1988 for the UK, and the GS500EK model in 1989 for Europe and North America, the bike came with a black painted engine mounted in a light grey frame and white wheels. These first GS500 bikes had low two-piece handlebars, giving the impression of clip-ons but were in fact mounted to the upper triple tree. In 1990 the handlebars were raised to a more standard height. A California-specific model for 1990 had a reduced fuel capacity, 15.0 liters (3.3 imp gal; 4.0 U.S. gal) instead of 17 liters, to allow room under the tank for an evaporation canister.[9]

The GS500EN (1992) front suspension was improved by fitting spring preload adjusters to the forks. The painted wheels were changed in 1996 from the original white color to dark grey, as was the frame on some models. The engine was no longer painted black.

New front brake calipers for the GS500EV in 1997 had two large pistons, replacing the previous unequally-sized pistons. Starting in 1998 (GS500EW) French models were fitted with Mikuni BSR 34mm carburetors with a three-circuit design (pilot jet, mid-main jet, main jet) for precise fuel metering throughout the rev range.[9]

In 2001 the GS500 was given new bodywork, including conventional tubular handlebars and a 20 liter fuel tank. Wheel rims were painted light gray. All markets got the Mikuni BSR 34mm carburetors that had been used only on French models. Pulsed secondary air injection was used to reduce emissions.[10] In addition to dropping the 'E' designation for the GS500, all Suzuki motorcycles went from using a single letter code for the model year (e.g., 'X' for 1999) to a letter-and-number code: K1 for 2001, K2 for 2002, L0 for 2010 and so on. In 2002 the wheel color became black, and from 2004 the frame was also painted black.

After 2002 Suzuki stopped producing the GS500E for the US market and did not release a GS500 for 2003. In 2007, Suzuki dropped the GS500 from its lineup in the UK and Spain,[5] but it continued to be sold in some other countries.[7]

In 2004, after a year hiatus, Suzuki came out with the GS500F to fill the void left (in the US market) by the GS500. In other countries the two models were sold side-by-side.[24] This bike was very similar to the previous model, but came with a fully enclosed fairing, and the engine could be restricted for use in countries where restrictive motorcycle licenses are issued. The fairing offered a sportier, aggressive look and improved rider comfort by providing wind protection and better aerodynamics. An engine oil cooler was also added to improve reliability, and European models used a catalytic converter as well as pulsed secondary air injection to control emissions.[11] The GS500F was dropped from the UK Suzuki range in 2007 and from the US range after 2009 model year, but was still available in Australia[25] and Denmark.

In January 2015 Cycle World added the GS500F to its roll of Best Used Bikes.[26]

^Ebert, Guido (20 November 2012). "Suzuki: Business as Usual for Powersports Ops". Motorcycle USA. Retrieved 17 January 2015. Three days after the ASMC announcement in the U.S., on Nov. 8, SMC confirmed it also intended to cease motorcycle production activities at Suzuki Motor España, S.A. in Gijon, Spain, by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

^Tibu, Florin (28 March 2013). "Suzuki Closes Down Gijon Plant in Spain". autoevolution.com. SoftNews NET. Retrieved 17 January 2015. Suzuki used to build the […] GS500 and GS500F machines in Gijon and they were selling in European markets and other countries, as well.

^Ash, Kevin (11 October 2003). "Back in the real world". The Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). Retrieved 12 January 2015. Suzuki has added a touch of sportiness to its revised GS500 budget twin with a fairing inspired by its GSX-R sports bikes, although little beneath has changed.

^Ash, Kevin (24 November 2007). "Suzuki GSX650F is the complete package". The Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). Retrieved 16 January 2015. …Suzuki makes good bikes at very good prices. This is especially the case in the budget middleweight sector, where Suzuki offers a very wide range, from the basic GS500 twin (a snip at £3,349) and the SV650 V-twin (£4,599), to the Bandit 650 (£4,449).

^"The 5 fastest A2 motorcycles - Suzuki GS500F". Visordown. Immediate Media Company Ltd. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2015. Its power, at 47bhp, is perfect for the class, and the 180kg weight means its power-to-weight ratio is close to the 0.2kW-per-kg limit.

^Smith, Rob (3 January 2008). "Buy Used: Suzuki GS500". bikepoint.com.au. carsales.com Limited. Retrieved 13 January 2015. …with the impending Learner Approved Motorcycle scheme to be rolled out later this year or next, the GS may set a few learner pulses racing.

^Chapman, Rod (27 May 2010). "Suzuki GS500F". bikepoint.com.au. carsales.com Limited. Retrieved 13 January 2015. …some 22 years ago the very first GS500 rolled out of the Suzuki factory, marking the beginning of one of the most long-lived motorcycles of the modern era.

^"Suzuki GS500F". bikepoint.com.au. carsales.com Limited. 15 October 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2015. We first saw the air-cooled vertical twin in Oz in 1989, designated the GS500E. […] In mid-2000 it was superseded by the GS500. Move up to 2004 and Suzuki announces the side-by-side import of the naked GS500 […] and the fully-faired GS500F.